Excavating method and apparatus utilizing vibration and vacuum to eliminate the need for fluid

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for excavation using vibration and vacuum may be connected to a vehicle, mounted to either a chassis or trailer. The apparatus comprises a vacuum tube with an input end. A vacuum generator provides suction at the input end of the vacuum tube, thereby drawing a stream of fluidized material into the vacuum tube. Affixed to the vacuum tube is a vibration generator which causes the vacuum tube to vibrate. The use of the vibration and suction eliminates the need for fluid-based vacuum systems.

I. BACKGROUND A. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses related todisplacing a material and creating a void, and more specifically tomethods and apparatuses related to excavating or digging holes in theground, such as might be used to create cylindrically-shaped voids inthe ground suitable to receive utility poles and the like, and even morespecifically to a method and apparatus to use suction and vibration toexcavate and thereby to eliminate the need for fluid to be used withsuction systems.

B. Description of Related Art

It is known in the art to use various methods and apparatuses toexcavate. It is also known to use vibration energy vibration to createthe excavation. What is needed is a new method of removing the loosesoil when a hole or trench etc. in the ground is desired. This inventionwill provide numerous other advantages as will be readily understood bya person of skill in the art.

II. SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of this invention, the apparatus includesa vacuum generator, a tank, a boom, a vacuum tube, attached to thevacuum tube is a vibration energy vibration generator. The frequency isadjustable from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz making it possible to run at theresonant frequency of the vacuum tube. Often, these vibrations are inthe sonic range. These vibrations are transferred from the vacuum tubeto the adjacent soil which loosens and fluidizes the soil.“Fluidization” is commonly known as a process like liquefaction wherebya granular material is converted from a static solid-like state to adynamic fluid-like state. This process occurs when a fluid is passed upthrough the granular material. In this application, the fluid is air.Fluidizing the soil reduces its friction and lowers the force necessaryto push the vacuum tube into the ground. The vibrations also break thesoil into small sized chunks without the need of pressurized fluidsystems. This allows the soil to be conveyed by the vacuum tube to thestorage tanks. The vibration frequency can be optimized for thequalities of the soil at each excavation site. The operator can adjustor optimize the frequency until, once optimized, the vacuum tube iseasily pushed straight down into the earth forming a straight hole theapproximate size of the vacuum tube. Forming trenches, pits or troughsis easily accomplished by forming a series of holes in the properconfiguration. By minimizing the required boom travel for a particularexcavation, the time required is significantly reduced.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in thisspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, side view of the inventive apparatus mounted toan associated vehicle, according one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, front view of a vibration energy generatormounted to a vacuum tube.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, side view of the vibration energy generatormounted to the vacuum tube.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, side view of a vacuum generator according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing a prior art vacuum excavation withpressurized fluid jets producing tapered holes.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation showing the inventive method and apparatusproducing straight, cylindrical holes.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the inventive apparatus and method shownsuspended between two A-frames according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a hole drilled in the earth by the inventivemethod and apparatus, and to provide a sense of size one can see theleft and right foot of the operator as well as a work glove lying on theground to provide perspective.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the inventive apparatus, showing the vibrationgenerator clamped to the vacuum tube.

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 9 but rotated 90 degrees.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a shaft, eccentric weight, and bearingfrom a vibration generator.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shaft, eccentric weight, and bearingfrom a vibration generator.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes oflimiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood torefer to like components, the inventive apparatus 10 is shown in FIGS.1-12. More specifically, the inventive method and apparatus 10 primarilycomprises three operative elements: a vacuum generator 18, vacuum tube22 and a vibration generator 14. Throughout this disclosure the materialto be excavated is represented to be ground or soil, but it is withinthe scope of the invention that other materials can be moved thereby.Similarly, the invention is disclosed with respect to a vacuum tube andis illustrated as cylindrical. However, the operation of the vacuum tubedoes not require cylindrical shape and “vacuum tubes” of othercross-sections are within the scope of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, prior art vacuum excavation 32 employspressurized jets of fluid, commonly water or air, to loosen theassociated soil 42 or other debris materials. The pressurized fluid iscommonly created by a pressure-generating system 34, such as a pump,mounted on the associated vacuum system 30. The pressurized fluid isconducted via conduit 40 to the excavating site 46 through hand-heldlances or wands 26. A vacuum system 30 then conveys these debrismaterials through a vacuum tube 38 to a storage tank 48, thus creating ahole, a pit, a trench, or other excavation 46. Vacuum excavation can beused to expose underground utilities in a manner which is safer thanusing shovels or traditional digging equipment. This is a typical priorart system. With reference to FIG. 5, note that excavation site 46 isnot cylindrical, but rather funnel shaped.

Typically, vacuum excavation apparatuses are transported upon largevehicles or trailers. The vehicles can carry liquid pressurization orpneumatic equipment, containers for storing the liquid or pressurizedair, vacuum equipment, and large tanks for storing the excavated soil,rocks, and other material. A boom 50 is typically mounted to the storagetank to connect the vacuum tube to the tank. The boom 50 allows theoperator to move the inlet end of the vacuum tube during excavationoperations.

The fluid pressurizing systems require the vehicle to carry pumps,compressors, tanks and usually water. The pumps, compressors, tanks, andwater add weight to the vehicle and take up space, thereby reducing theamount of excavated material the vehicle can carry. The pumps,compressors, tanks and in some cases the water, all need to be purchasedand thereby add cost to the prior art method and apparatus. Thepressures involved, approximately 2,000 psi for water systems and 200psi for air systems, can pose safety concerns and can requirespecialized training or certification. Fluid pressurizing systems can beregulated or restricted at some sites or locations. While the prior arthigh pressure, high velocity jets can adequately loosen the soil for thevacuum system, they can also cause flying debris, dust for the airsystems and mud for the liquids systems.

When vacuum excavating utilizing pressurized fluid, the soil is firstloosened with the fluid. The vacuum tube is then positioned over theloosened soil using the boom. The loosened material is conductedpneumatically to the storage tank using the vacuum system. The vacuumtube is then positioned out of the way using the boom to allow more soilto be loosened before returning the vacuum tube to remove the newlyloosened soil. This method requires considerable movement of the boom 50and vacuum tube 38, neither of which is precisely nor easily controlled.Vacuum excavation with pressurized fluid does not produce straightholes. The holes are tapered and larger at the top to gain access forthe wand or lance to loosen soil at the bottom of the hole. Thisrequires removing more material than would be required to produce astraight hole. As the excavating depth increases the difficultydramatically increases. For example, excavating at depths of 10 feettypically require lances 16 feet long. Handling lances of this size isvery difficult, and the visibility needed to effectively operate them atthis depth is seldom available. The flying debris caused by jetting thesoil also creates a mess requiring more time to clean up when theexcavation is complete. A final consideration is the excavated soil andwater mixture can result is special handling or dumping considerations.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the inventive vibration-vacuum apparatus10. The vibration-vacuum apparatus comprises of a vacuum tube 22,vibration generator 14, boom 50, storage tank 48, and a vacuum generator18, which can all be advantageously mounted on an associated vehicle 54.The associated vehicle 54 can be driven to a desired location and thevacuum tube 38 can be deployed wherever vacuum is desired.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the vacuum tube 22 has a first end56 and a second end 58. The vacuum tube 22 is operatively associatedwith the vibration generator 14. Using the boom 50, a second end 58 ofthe vacuum tube 22 is positioned over a portion of the associated soilor ground 42 where a hole is to be created. The vacuum generator 18 canbe engaged to create a suction or vacuum and to provide it to the vacuumtube 22. Then, the vibration generator 14 can be operatively engaged tocause the vacuum tube 22 to oscillate and vibrate. The vibrationgenerator 14 can be adjusted to vibrate at a frequency effective tofluidize the associated soil 42 effectively. When the apparatus 10operates thusly, the second end 58 of the vacuum tube 22 vibratesagainst the associated soil 42, thereby loosening the associated soil 42and causing it to fluidize in an area adjacent to the second end 58 ofthe vacuum tube 22. The loosened or fluidized soil 42 capable of beinglifted and removed by the suction, and travels upwardly through thevacuum tube 22, from the second end 58 toward the first end 56, andeventually into the tank 48.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, due to the foregoing, the secondend 58 of the vacuum tube 22 essentially becomes the point of attack, orthe surface that marks the progress of the creation of the associatedhole, as the second end 58 moves downwardly into the associated ground42. Should a deeper hole be desired, multiple lengths of tube 22 can beoperatively connected, with such connection being made to eliminate orminimize any loss of vacuum, as is within the ordinary skill of the art.Overall, the vibration energy created by the vibration generator 14drives the leading, second end 58 of the vacuum tube 22 downwardly intothe associated ground 42 while the vacuum generator 18 pneumaticallyconveys the fluidized ground 42 upwardly through the interior of thevacuum tube 22 to the storage tank 48.

As can be seen in various figures, and with special reference to FIGS. 2and 3, the vibration generator 14 is securely but selectively affixed tothe vacuum tube 22 in some sort of a method chosen with soundengineering judgement. In one example, the vibration generator 14 isattached to the vacuum tube 22 using first and second split type clamps66, 68, respectively, welded to the vacuum tube 22 and secured with twofasteners 70. FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of the vibration generator14 affixed to the vacuum tube 22 with split type clamps 66, 68 welded tothe vacuum tube 22.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the vibration generator 14 will bedescribed. Any vibration generator 14 chosen with sound engineeringjudgment can work with the invention. Essentially, the vibrationgenerator 14 is capable of selectively oscillating the vacuum tube 22within a preferred frequency range. One vibration generator 14 operatesto create vibrations by rotating a shaft 96 with an eccentric weight.The shaft is mounted between two bearings 98 and enclosed in a casing100 that contains the necessary lubricant. The shaft 96 can be rotatedby various methods including a hydraulic motor. The rotational speed ofthe shaft is adjusted to produce vibrations ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000Hz. An example of vibration generator 14 that works well with theinvention is sold by the WINK Vibracore Drill Company of 4400 SmithCrescent, Richmond, BC V6V 1S7, Canada.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic side elevation of the vibration-vacuumapparatus 10. A vibration generator 14 is affixed to the vacuum tube 22.Vibrating the vacuum tube 22 cause the soil 42 near the second end 58 ofthe vacuum tube 22 to loosen and to fluidize. The fluidized soil entersthe second 58 end of the vacuum tube 22 and is conveyed past the firstend 56 of the vacuum tube 22 and into the storage tank 48 passingthrough the boom 50. In the storage tanks 48 most of the associatedheavier debris drops out of the excavation stream which continuesthrough one or more cyclones and connective duct work. The circular pathin the cyclone cause most of the debris material to fall out of thestream. One or more blowers or fans are used to generate the systemvacuum. An inlet filter to the blowers or fans removes any remainingparticles large enough to damage the blowers or fans. The stream thenpasses through an optional exhaust silencer and to the atmosphere.

FIG. 5 depicts a prior art vacuum excavation operation utilizingpressurized fluid jets. The associated operator 74 loosens the soil 42by directing a pressurized fluid stream at the ground 42. The vacuumgenerator 18 conveys the loosened material fluid mixture 42 through theinlet or second end 58 of the vacuum tube 22, through the boom 50 and tothe storage tank 48. Most of the heavier debris 42 falls out of thestream in the storage tank 48. The excavation stream continues throughthe duct work to one or more cyclones where more debris particles areseparated from the stream. After the cyclone(s) the stream continues toa blower or fan inlet filter, through an optional exhaust silencer andto the atmosphere. As the depth of the associated hole 46 increases thetop of the hole 46 must be enlarged to provide the operator 74 access todirect the pressurized fluid stream to the bottom of the hole 46 and togive the operator 74 space to locate the boom 50 temporarily out of theway. Enlarging the hole 46 in this manner requires removing morematerial, ground, or soil 42 than necessary to form the hole 46. Thisexcess material removal takes additional time reducing the productivityof the operation. This extra material is also part of the payload of thevehicle requiring more trips to unload for a given excavation. Insystems utilizing water or some other liquid as the pressurized fluidthis liquid is mixed with the excavating material increasing its weight,requiring stronger or larger vehicles or vehicles with additional axles.The vacuum tube does not collect all the loosened soil & fluid mixture,the portion of the mixture not collected is scattered into thesurrounding area. This generates large dust clouds in air excavatingsystems or scatters mud everywhere for liquid excavating systems.

In contrast to the prior art excavation method and apparatus depicted inFIG. 5, FIG. 6 depicts the inventive vibration-vacuum excavation methodand apparatus. The vibration-frequency vibration generator 14 isattached to the vacuum tube 22 in a manner like FIG. 2. The vibrationfrequency is adjustable from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz making it possible torun at the resonant frequency of the vacuum tube 22, which is onepreferred operating mode. These vibrations are transferred from thevacuum tube 22 to the adjacent soil which loosens and fluidizes.Fluidizing the soil 42 reduces its friction and lowers the forcenecessary to push the vacuum tube 22 into the ground. In someapplications, at certain frequencies, the vacuum tube 22 will penetratethe soil 42 under the weight of the vacuum tube 22. In otherapplications, and at other frequencies, the boom 50 can be used to pushthe vacuum tube 22 into the soil 42. The vibrations cause the vacuumtube 22 to break the soil 42 into small chunks without the need ofpressurized fluid systems. Thereby, soil 42 may be removed by the vacuumtube 22 forming a straight, cylindrical hole 46 which has a holediameter approximately the diameter of the vacuum tube 22. The vacuumgenerator 14 conveys the loosened soil 42 through the second end 58 ofthe vacuum tube 22, through the boom 50 and to the storage tank 48. Mostof the heavier debris or soil falls out of the soil stream in thestorage tank. The excavation soil stream continues through the duct workto one or more cyclones where more debris particles are separated fromthe soil stream. After the cyclone(s) the soil stream continues to ablower or fan inlet filter, through an optional exhaust silencer and tothe atmosphere.

With reference to FIG. 7, the apparatus 10 is shown, with the vibrationgenerator 14 shown clamped to the vacuum tube 22 via clamps 66, 68. Theapparatus 10 is shown supported by an associated sawhorse 92.

With reference to FIG. 8, an associated hole 80 made in the associatedground 42 is illustrated, such as may be produced by the disclosedmethod and apparatus is shown. The associated operator's shoes 84, 86and work glove 88 are shown to provide perspective.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the apparatus 10 is shown with thevibration generator 14 shown clamped to the vacuum tube 22 via clamps66, 68.

The inventive method and apparatus can produce straight holes viasuction and vibration without the use of fluids, such as water or air.

Numerous embodiments have been described herein. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of this invention. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof. Further, the “invention”as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claimsof this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinationsthat are disclosed herein as other inventions in other patent documentsis hereby unconditionally reserved.

I/We claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a. a vacuum tube, said vacuumtube having first and second ends; b. a vacuum generator, said vacuumgenerator producing a vacuum condition at said second end of said vacuumtube; and, c. a vibration generator, said vibration generatoroperatively associated with said vacuum tube and capable of vibratingsaid vacuum tube.
 2. A method for removing material, the methodcomprising the steps of: a. creating a vacuum condition in the interiorof a vacuum tube; and, b. vibrating said vacuum tube; c. dislodging theassociated soil with said vacuum condition and vibration; and, d.transporting the associated material from a first location through thevacuum tube to a second location.
 3. An apparatus for excavating, saidapparatus comprising: a. a vacuum tube, said vacuum tube beingcylindrically-shaped and having a first end and second end, said firstend of said vacuum tube being operatively connected to an associatedboom of an associated vehicle, said second end of said vacuum tubeselectively placed in operative association with a certain section ofthe ground at which the excavation is desired; b. a vacuum generator,said vacuum generator operatively associated with said vacuum tube andcapable of creating a vacuum condition in the interior of said vacuumtube; and, c. a vibration generator, said vibration generatoroperatively associated with and attached to said vacuum tube and capableof vibrating said second end of said vacuum tube within a sonic rangefrequency, so that the suction and vibration dislodge and remove theassociated soil without the need for an associated fluid.